St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-09-17

lste steambOat-a gay crowd OF actors
actresses, journalists; music, dancing
feasting, all thoroughly Partisan, and
graceful tribute to the "Prettiest Woman
in Paris"
There has been great Catholic cere
mony at the Chateau de Boursault, neal
Epernay, in Champagne, the residence Of
Madame la Duchesse Dues. This
chateau formerly belonged to the
dOrsays, one of whom-the handsome
Comte dOrsay-was an accomplished
dandy, nicknamed the French Beau
Brummel. 1t stands on the site of cas-
tie which in feudal times was held by the
Chatillons, and is in the Renaissance
style, in imitation of the Chateau de
Chambord. From its towers and turrets
. you look down into splendid park of
vast extent adorned with fountains. In
this beautiful spot it was that Urban II,
the great French pontiff, who sent Peter
the Hermit to preach the Holy War,
/ trst saw the light eight centuries ago.
/ Owing to the efforts made by Cardinal
Langcnieux, Archbishop Of Reims, as
sisted by the Duchesse d'Uzes, who is
fervent Catholic, magnificent
statue has just been raised in memory of
the French Pope. The holy father, in
! full sacerdotal robes and wearing the
| tiara, stands with his right hand raised
eastward and heavenward, as he pro-
nounced the words "Dieu le ueu1t' in 1906.
The base of the monument bears the
arms of the principal knights who fought
in the first crusade, including Godfrey
de Bouillon, and an inscription to the
memory of Pope Urban II. The monu-
ment IS tWenty-one metres in height and
the statue itself measures about eight
and a-half metres. At the ceremony Of
inauguration there were present the
Archbshops of Paris and Reims, the
Bishops of Versailles, Chalons, Anglers,
and many others, and large body of
clergy-numbering 300 or more the
Duchesse Dues and party, and all the
Catholic population for miles around, as
we'll as numbers from Paris and other
large towns. The statue was unveiled by
Monseigneur Richard, Archbishop of
Paris.
Madame Astie de Valsayre is strong
minded woman and an advanced thinker.
She is revolutionist. Why not? Her
male cOmpatriots are talking about all
sorts OF revolutions, possible and impos-
slble, useful and otherwise, and she
thinks the time has really come for a
commOn-sense practical WOmen's revolu-
ton, which is petticoat revolution. 1t
is intolerable that French police regula-
tons should forbid woman to walk the
boulevards in tall hat, coat, vest and
combinations! Are male bipeds to mo-
nopolize all the good things? 1t is true
that women have worn with impunity
manly head-coverings, jackets, vests and
shoes, and the other sex declared them
novel and delightful; but the moment
woman proposes to borrow that other
garment from the male wardrobe the
authorities are up in arms Immediately.
Grave philosophers begin to talk
about public morality. To allow
one sex to wear garments which
are recognized proper to the other
would be retrograde movement,
tending to re-establish those pagan GUS
toms which antiquity has transmitted to
US with its literature. There is an un-
healthy manliness about the woman who
declines to follow the bright example of
her grandmother, just as a male cannot
be called man when he shows a pre-
objection for wearing petticoats. Be-
sides, it is argued that if people were
to do as they like in this matter
very hot weather might be made the &C.
caslon for wearing nothing at all.
Madame de Nalsayre and her fellow-rev-
olutlonists dispose of these arguments
very easily indeed. 1t is liberty-liberty
for all-that they want. They do not pro-
pose to force women to wear male at
tire, for that would be 'idiotic, odious
and absurd" but let it be optional
You need not fear that true
liberty of this kind would be abused"
says lady friend. DO you really think
many women would give up the splen-
dor of silk, soft linen, long trains COW
eied with flowers, phenomenal mead
dress, jewels, colors, dreamy gauze, per-
fume, languor, grace, and all that man
in short? Oh no; not at
ALL" But Madame de Valsayre has de-
posted petition with the Chamber of
Deputies praying that the ladies of
France may be allowed to wear what
hey like. That privilege, and that only,
will be accepted by the new revolution
Try school as a correct rendering of the
MOTTO with which the public buildings
ire decorated-"Liberty, Equality, Fra
ernity"
1t is quite cheering to find a French
Judge and jury unite in properly pun
shing vitriol-thrower. Many whose
idiulS W oe COuSluereu handsome are OF
he slenderest might well prefer to be
hot dead than have their faces rendered
orrble for the rest of their lives, with
yesight possibly destroyed, and i, is diff
ult to understand how "extenuating
circumstances can be allowed to so
lany women who adopt this terrible
lode of revenge. A widow Bcllgand,
Tho has been found guilty without Eek
circumstances and sentenced
, penal servitude for life, is a perfect
legera. After living dissolute life for
ONE years, she attracted the attention OF
County, an architect in respectable
circumstances, who, however, soon saw
er real character, left her and married
mother woman. Incensed, she lay in
AIT one evening and dashed quantity
vitriol in his face. He was fearfully
ljured and died after fortnight of
gony, A friend who accompanied him
ad one eye destroyed by the corrosive
uff, and two young girls passing in the
rect were also seriously disfgured
ortunately, Madame Belligand will pass
re declining years of hitherto disgrace
Il existence in a place where vitriol-
rowing is not possible.
Their Works Their Monuments.